New and Emerging Entry-Level Office and Distributive Occupations and Their Effect on Business Education Curriculum.

Maxwell, G. W.; O'Hare, Judith Knight

A study was conducted to identify new and emerging entry-level office and distributive occupations and analyze their effect on the business education curriculum. Two methods of gathering data were used in the study. First, data were gathered from interviews of forty-seven office firms, twelve individuals who were informed regarding office occupations, twelve distributive firms, and four individuals who were informed regarding distributive occupations. Secondly, information was gathered from a meeting of business people and business educators. Among the findings reported from the interviews was that new technology in the office is relieving some of the routine clerical work, as well as demanding new skills, knowledge, and capabilities. Word processing skills were not in high demand because not all of the companies interviewed were making use of word processing equipment. Contrary to what some people have predicted about automation causing unemployment, most of the companies using automated equipment have found that automation did not reduce the number of clerical employees, and in some cases, resulted in an increase of clerical help. (The interview questions are appended.) (LRA)